Mobile terminal and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

A mobile terminal may be provided that includes a squeeze sensor disposed at a lateral surface of a housing to sense a pressure greater than a predetermined value being applied thereto; and a controller configured to change the location of an object displayed on a display based on a pressure applied position when the sensed pressure is greater than a predetermined value.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Korean Application No.10-2012-0068744, filed Jun. 26, 2012, the subject matter of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure may relate to a mobile terminal having a squeezesensor.

2. Background

Terminals may be classified as mobile (or portable) terminals andstationary terminals based on its mobility. The mobile terminals may befurther classified as handheld terminals and vehicle mount terminalsbased on whether (or not) the terminal can be directly carried by auser.

A terminal may be allowed to capture still images or moving images, playmusic or video files, play games, receive broadcast and the like, so asto be implemented as an integrated multimedia player. Improvement ofstructural or software elements of the terminal may be taken intoconsideration to support and enhance functions of the terminal.

A user may generate an input signal using a touch sensor provided on adisplay unit of the terminal. However, the touch sensor may be activatedonly when the display unit is activated, and thus the touch sensor has alimit in generating various input signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Arrangements and embodiments may be described in detail with referenceto the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to likeelements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views illustrating an externalappearance of the mobile terminal;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views illustrating an externalappearance of the mobile terminal;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are flow charts for explaining a method of a mobileterminal according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;and

FIGS. 6 through 16 are views illustrating an operation example of themobile terminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal according to anexample arrangement. Other arrangements may also be provided.

FIG. 1 shows that a mobile terminal 100 may include a wirelesscommunication unit 110, an audio/video (NV) input unit 120, a user inputunit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, aninterface unit 170, a controller 180, a power supply unit 190, and thelike. However, constituent elements as shown in FIG. 1 are notnecessarily required, and the mobile terminal 100 may be implementedwith greater or less number of elements than those illustrated elements.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more elementsallowing radio communication between the mobile terminal 100 and awireless communication system, or allowing wireless (or radio)communication between the mobile terminal 100 and a network in which themobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communicationunit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobilecommunication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short-rangecommunication module 114, a location information module 115, and/or thelike.

The broadcast receiving module 111 may receive broadcast signals and/orbroadcast associated information from an external broadcast managementserver through a broadcast channel. The broadcast associated informationmay be information regarding a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, abroadcast service provider, and/or the like. The broadcast associatedinformation may also be provided through a mobile communication network.The broadcast associated information may be received by the mobilecommunication module 112. The broadcast signal and broadcast-associatedinformation received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may bestored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 may transmit and/or receive a radiosignal to and/or from at least one of a base station, an externalterminal and/or a server over a mobile communication network. The radiosignal may include a voice call signal, a video call signal or varioustypes of data according to text and/or multimedia message transmissionand reception.

The wireless Internet module 113 may be a module for supporting wirelessInternet access and may be built-in or externally installed to themobile terminal 100. A variety of wireless Internet access techniquesmay be used, such as WLAN (Wireless LAN), Wi-Fi, Wibro (WirelessBroadband), Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA(High Speed Downlink Packet Access), and/or the like.

The short-range communication module 114 may be a module for supportinga short-range communication. A variety of short-range communicationtechnologies may be used, such as Bluetooth, Radio FrequencyIDentification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra WideBand(UWB), ZigBee, and/or the like.

The location information module 115 may be a module for acquiring alocation (or position) of the mobile terminal 100. A GPS module may bean example of the location information module 115.

The A/V (audio/video) input unit 120 may receive an audio or videosignal, and the A/V (audio/video) input unit 120 may include a camera121, a microphone 122, and the like. The camera 121 may process an imageframe, such as still or moving images, obtained by an image sensor in avideo phone call or an image capturing mode. The processed image framemay be displayed on a display unit 151 (or display). The image framesprocessed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory 160 or may betransmitted to an external device through the wireless communicationunit 110. Two or more cameras 121 may be provided according to a useenvironment of the mobile terminal 100.

The microphone 122 may receive an external audio signal through amicrophone in a phone call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognitionmode, and the like, and the microphone 122 may process the audio signalinto electrical voice data. The processed voice data may be convertedand outputted in a format that is transmittable to a mobilecommunication base station through the mobile communication module 112in the phone call mode. The microphone 122 may implement various typesof noise canceling algorithms to cancel noise generated during theprocess of receiving the external audio signal.

The user input unit 130 may generate input data to control an operationof the mobile terminal 100. The user input unit 130 may be configuredwith a keypad, a dome switch, a touch pad (pressure/capacitance), a jogwheel, a jog switch, and/or the like.

The sensing unit 140 may detect presence or absence of the user'scontact, and a current status of the mobile terminal 100 such as anopened or closed configuration, a location of the mobile terminal 100,an orientation of the mobile terminal 100, an acceleration ordeceleration of the mobile terminal 100, and the like. The sensing unit140 may generate a sensing signal for controlling operation of themobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is aslide phone type, the sensing unit 140 may sense an opened or closedconfiguration of the slide phone. The sensing unit 140 may sense whether(or not) power is supplied from the power supply unit 190, or whether(or not) an external device is coupled to the interface unit 170.

The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141. The sensingunit 140 may include a touch sensor for sensing a touch operation withrespect to the display unit 151. Other sensors may also be used.

The touch sensor may be implemented as a touch film, a touch sheet, atouch pad, and/or the like. The touch sensor may be configured toconvert changes of a pressure applied to a specific part of the displayunit 151, or a capacitance generated from a specific part of the displayunit 151, into electric input signals. The touch sensor may beconfigured to sense not only a touched position and a touched area, butalso a touch pressure.

When the touch sensor and the display unit 151 form an interlayerstructure, the display unit 151 may be used as an input device (ratherthan an output device). The display unit 151 may be referred to as atouch screen.

When there is a touch input through the touch screen, the correspondingsignals may be transmitted to a touch controller. The touch controllermay process signals transferred from the touch sensor, and then transmitdata corresponding to the processed signals to the controller 180. Thecontroller 180 may sense which region of the display unit 151 has beentouched.

When the touch screen is a capacitance type, a proximity of a sensingobject may be detected by changes of an electromagnetic field accordingto proximity of a sensing object. The touch screen may be categorized asa proximity sensor 141.

The proximity sensor 141 may be a sensor for detecting presence orabsence of a sensing object using an electromagnetic field or infraredrays without a mechanical contact. The proximity sensor 141 may have alonger lifespan and more enhanced utility than a contact sensor. Theproximity sensor 141 may include an optical transmission typephotoelectric sensor, a direct reflective type photoelectric sensor, amirror reflective type photoelectric sensor, a high-frequencyoscillation proximity sensor, a capacitance type proximity sensor, amagnetic type proximity sensor, an infrared rays proximity sensor,and/or the like.

Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, a behavior of closely approachingthe touch screen without contact may be referred to as a proximitytouch, whereas a behavior of substantially coming in contact with thetouch screen may be referred to as a contact touch.

The proximity sensor 141 may sense proximity touch, and proximity touchpatterns (e.g., distance, direction, speed, time, position, movingstatus, etc.). Information relating to the sensed proximity touch andthe sensed proximity touch patterns may be output on the touch screen.

The output unit 150 may generate an output related to visual, auditory,tactile senses. The output unit 150 may include the display unit 151 (ordisplay), an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153 (or alarm), ahaptic module 154, and/or the like.

The display unit 151 may display (output) information processed in themobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 isoperated in a phone call mode, the display unit 151 may display a userinterface (UI) or graphic user interface (GUI) related to a phone call.When the mobile terminal 100 is operated in a video call mode or animage capturing mode, the display unit 151 may display a captured image,a received image, UI, GUI, and/or the like.

The display unit 151 may include at least one of a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD),an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a flexible display, a3-dimensional (3D) display, and/or an e-ink display.

At least one of those displays (or display devices) included in thedisplay unit 151 may be configured with a transparent or opticaltransparent type to allow the user to view the outside therethrough. Itmay be referred to as a transparent display. An example of thetransparent display may be a transparent OLED (TOLED), and/or the like.Under this configuration, the user may view an object positioned at arear side of the mobile device body through a region occupied by thedisplay unit 151 of the mobile device body.

Two or more display units 151 may be provided according toimplementation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, a plurality ofthe display units 151 may be provided on one surface in a separate orintegrated manner, or may be provided on different surfaces,respectively.

The audio output module 152 may output audio data received from thewireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160, in acall-receiving mode, a call-placing mode, a recording mode, a voiceselection mode, a broadcast reception mode, and/or the like. The audiooutput module 152 may output an audio signal related to a functioncarried out in the mobile terminal 100 (e.g. sound alarming a callreceived or a message received, and the like). The audio output module152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and/or the like.

The alarm unit 153 may output signals notifying occurrence of an eventfrom the mobile terminal 100. The examples of an event occurring fromthe mobile terminal 100 may include a call received, a message received,a key signal input, a touch input, and/or the like. The alarm unit 153may output not only video or audio signals, but also other types ofsignals such as signals for notifying the occurrence of an event in avibration manner. Since the video or audio signals may also be outputthrough the display unit 151 or the audio output unit 152, the displayunit 151 and the audio output module 152 may be categorized as part ofthe alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 may generate various tactile effects that can befelt by the user. A representative example of the tactile effectsgenerated by the haptic module 155 may include vibration. Vibrationgenerated by the haptic module 155 may have a controllable intensity, acontrollable pattern, and/or the like. For example, different vibrationsmay be output in a synthesized manner or in a sequential manner.

The haptic module 154 may generate various tactile effects, includingnot only vibration, but also arrangement of pins vertically moved withrespect to a skin surface being touched, air injection force or airsuction force through an injection port or suction port, touch by a skinsurface, contact with an electrode, effects by stimulus such as anelectrostatic force, reproduction of cold or hot feeling using a heatabsorbing device or heat emitting device, and/or the like.

The haptic module 154 may transmit tactile effects through the user'sdirect contact, or the user's muscular sense using a finger or a hand.Two or more haptic modules 154 may be provided according toconfiguration of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for operating the controller 180, ormay temporarily store input/output data (e.g. phonebooks, messages,still images, moving images, and the like). The memory 160 may storedata related to various patterns of vibrations and sounds outputted whenperforming a touch input on the touch screen.

The memory 160 may be implemented using any type of suitable storagemedium including a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimediacard micro type, a memory card type (e.g., SD or DX memory), RandomAccess Memory (RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-OnlyMemory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-only Memory(EEPROM), Programmable Read-only Memory (PROM), magnetic memory,magnetic disk, optical disk, and the like. The mobile terminal 100 mayoperate a web storage that performs the storage function of the memory160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 (or interface) may interface the mobile terminal100 with external devices. The interface unit 170 may allow a datareception from an external device, a power delivery to each component inthe mobile terminal 100, or a data transmission from the mobile terminal100 to an external device. The interface unit 170 may includewired/wireless headset ports, external charger ports, wired/wirelessdata ports, memory card ports, ports for coupling devices having anidentification module, audio Input/Output (I/O) ports, video I/O ports,earphone ports, and/or the like, for example.

The identification module may be a chip for storing various informationrequired to authenticate an authority to use the mobile terminal 100,which may include a User Identity Module (UIM), a Subscriber IdentityModule (SIM), and the like. The device having the identification module(hereafter also referred to as an identification device) may beimplemented in a type of smart card. The identification device may becoupled to the mobile terminal 100 via a port.

The interface unit 170 may serve as a path for power to be supplied froman external cradle to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal100 is connected to the external cradle or as a path for transferringvarious command signals inputted from the cradle by a user to the mobileterminal 100. Such various command signals or power inputted from thecradle may operate as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal100 has accurately been mounted to the cradle.

The controller 180 may control overall operations of the mobile terminal100. For example, the controller 180 may perform the control andprocessing related to telephony calls, data communications, video calls,and/or the like. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181that provides multimedia playback. The multimedia module 181 may beconfigured as part of the controller 180 or as a separate component. Thecontroller 180 can perform a pattern recognition processing so as torecognize a handwriting or drawing input on the touch screen as text orimage.

The power supply unit 190 (or power supply) may receive external orinternal power to provide power required by various components undercontrol of the controller 180.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a computer orsimilar device readable medium using software, hardware, or anycombination thereof.

For hardware implementation, embodiments may be implemented by using atleast one of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digitalsignal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs),programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors,and electrical units designed to perform the functions described herein.Such embodiments may be implemented in the controller 180 itself.

For software implementation, embodiments such as procedures or functionsmay be implemented together with separate software modules that allowperforming of at least one function or operation. Software codes may beimplemented by a software application written in any suitableprogramming language. The software codes may be stored in the memory 160and executed by the controller 180.

The method of processing a user input to the mobile terminal 100 may nowbe described.

The user input unit 130 may be manipulated to receive a command forcontrolling operation of the mobile terminal 100, and may include aplurality of manipulation units. The manipulation units may be commonlydesignated as a manipulating portion, and any method may be employed ifit is a tactile manner allowing the user to perform manipulation with atactile feeling.

Various kinds of visual information may be displayed on the display unit151. The visual information may be displayed in the form of a character,a numeral, a symbol, a graphic, an icon, and/or the like. For an inputof the visual information, at least one of a character, a numeral, asymbol, a graphic, and an icon may be displayed with a predeterminedarrangement so as to be implemented in the form of a keypad. Such akeypad may be referred to as a soft key.

The display unit 151 may operate on an entire region or may operate bybeing separated into a plurality of regions. In case of the latter, theplurality of regions may be configured to operate in an associative way.For example, an output window and an input window may be displayed onthe upper and lower portions of the display unit 151, respectively. Theoutput window and the input window may be regions allocated to output orinput information, respectively. A soft key on which numerals forinputting a phone number or the like are displayed is outputted on theinput window. When the soft key is touched, a numeral corresponding tothe touched soft key is displayed on the output window. When the firstmanipulating unit is manipulated, a phone call connection for the phonenumber displayed on the output window may be attempted or a textdisplayed on the output window may be entered to the application.

The display unit 151 or touch pad may be configured to sense a touchscroll. The user may move an object displayed on the display unit 151,for example, a cursor or pointer provided on an icon or the like, byscrolling the display unit 151 or touch pad. When a finger is moved onthe display unit 151 or a touch pad, a path being moved by the fingermay be visually displayed on the display unit 151. It may be useful toedit an image displayed on the display unit 151.

In order to cope with an example where the display unit 151 and thetouch pad are touched together within a predetermined period of time,one function of the terminal 100 may be implemented. For the example ofbeing touched together, this is an example when the user clamps a bodyof the mobile terminal 100 using his or her thumb and forefinger. Forone of the above functions implemented in the mobile terminal 100, forexample, there may be an activation or de-activation for the displayunit 151 or the touch pad.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views illustrating an externalappearance of a mobile terminal 100. FIG. 2A is a front and a side viewillustrating the mobile terminal 100. FIG. 2B is a rear and other sideview illustrating the mobile terminal 100. Other arrangements and viewsmay also be provided.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the mobile terminal 100 may be provided with abar-type terminal body. However, embodiments are not only limited tothis type of terminal, but are also applicable to various structures ofterminals such as a slide type, a folder type, a swivel type, a swingtype, and the like, in which two and more bodies are combined with eachother in a relatively movable manner.

The terminal body may include a case (casing, housing, cover, etc.)forming an appearance of the terminal. The case or housing may beseparated into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. Various electroniccomponents may be integrated in a space formed between the front case101 and the rear case 102. At least one middle case may be additionallydisposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The cases may be formed by injection-molding a synthetic resin or may bealso formed of a metal material such as stainless steel (STS), titanium(Ti), or the like.

The display unit 151, the audio output module 152, the camera 121, theuser input unit 130, the microphone 122, the interface unit 170, and thelike may be arranged on (or at) the terminal body, mainly at or on thefront case 101.

The display unit 151 may occupy most of the front case 101. The audiooutput unit 152 and the camera 121 may be disposed on a region adjacentto one of both ends of the display unit 151, and the user input unit 131and the microphone 122 are disposed at or on a region adjacent to theother end thereof. The user interface 132 and the interface 170, and/orthe like, may be disposed on a lateral surface of the front case 101 andthe rear case 102.

The user input unit 130 is manipulated to receive a command forcontrolling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. The user inputunit 130 may include a plurality of manipulation units 131, 132.

The manipulation units 131, 132 may receive various commands. Forexample, the first manipulation unit 131 may be used to receive acommand, such as start, end, scroll, and/or the like. The secondmanipulation unit 132 may be used to receive a command, such ascontrolling a volume level being outputted from the audio output unit152, or switching it into a touch recognition mode of the display unit151.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a camera 121′ may be additionally mounted at or ona rear surface of the terminal body, namely the rear case 102. The rearcamera 121′ may have an image capturing direction, which issubstantially opposite to the direction of the front camera 121, and mayhave a different number of pixels from those of the front camera 121.

For example, the front camera 121 may be configured to have a relativelysmall number of pixels, and the rear camera 121′ may be configured tohave a relatively large number of pixels. Accordingly, in an examplewhere the front camera 121 is used for video communication, it may bepossible to reduce a size of transmission data when the user captureshis or her own face and sends it to the other party in real time. On theother hand, the rear camera 121′ may be used for the purpose of storinghigh quality images.

The cameras 121, 121′ may be provided in the terminal body in arotatable and pop-upable manner.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 may be additionally disposed adjacent tothe rear camera 121′. The flash 123 may illuminate light toward anobject when capturing the object with the camera 121′. The mirror 124may allow the user to look at his or her own face, or the like, in areflected way when capturing himself or herself (in a self-portraitmode) by using the rear camera 121′.

A rear audio output unit 152′ may be additionally disposed at or on arear surface of the terminal body. The rear audio output unit 152′together with the front audio output unit 152 may implement a stereofunction, and it may be also used to implement a speaker phone modeduring a phone call.

An antenna 116 for receiving broadcast signals may be additionallydisposed at or on a lateral surface of the terminal body. The antenna116 constituting part of a broadcast receiving module 111 may beprovided so as to be pulled out from the terminal body.

A power supply unit 190 (or power supply) for supplying power to themobile terminal 100 may be mounted at or on the terminal body. The powersupply unit 190 may be configured so as to be incorporated in theterminal body, or may be directly detachable from the outside of theterminal body.

A touch pad 135 for detecting a touch may be additionally mounted at oron the rear case 102. The touch pad 135 may be also configured with anoptical transmission type, similar to the display unit 151.Alternatively, a rear display unit for displaying visual information maybe additionally mounted at or on the touch pad 135. Informationdisplayed on the both surfaces of the front display unit 151 and reardisplay unit may be controlled by the touch pad 135.

The touch pad 135 may operate in conjunction with the display unit 151of the front case 101. The touch pad 135 may be disposed in parallel ata rear side of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have a samesize as or a smaller size than the display unit 151.

The user may generate an input signal using a touch sensor provided atthe display unit 151 of the mobile terminal 100. However, the mobileterminal 100 may activate the touch sensor only when the display unit151 is activated, and there is a limit in generating various inputsignals.

A mobile terminal capable of generating an input signal using variousdevices and a control method thereof may be described with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views illustrating an externalappearance of the mobile terminal 100 according to the presentdisclosure. A front surface and a lateral surface of the mobile terminal100 are shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Other embodiments and views may alsobe provided.

The mobile terminal 100 may include the display unit 151 and the userinterface 130. The user interface 130 may include a squeeze sensor 231(or sensor) and a touch sensor 232.

The display unit 151 may occupy most of the front case 101. The audiooutput unit 152 and the camera 121 may be located in a region adjacentto one end portion of the display unit 151. The user interface 130 andthe microphone 122 may be located in a region adjacent to the other endportion of the display unit 151.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the touch sensor 232 may be disposed at afront surface of the display unit 151, and may be formed to sense atouch input. The squeeze sensor 231 may be disposed at a lateral surfaceof the body or housing, and may be formed by a pressure that is greaterthan a predetermined value being applied thereto. The pressure greaterthan the predetermined value may be an activation pressure.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 3A, the squeeze sensor 231 may belocated at a lateral surface of the front case 101 and the rear case 102(or the lateral side of the housing). The squeeze sensor 231 may belocated at the other lateral surface of the front case 101 and the rearcase 102. In other words, the squeeze sensor 231 may be located at twolateral surfaces of the front case 101 and the rear case 102, or thesqueeze sensor 231 may be located at all four lateral surfaces thereof.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the squeeze sensor 231 may include a plurality ofsqueeze sensors. The plurality of squeeze sensors may be located at alateral surface of the front case 101 and the rear case 102 (i.e., alateral side of the housing).

Accordingly, when a pressure is applied to the squeeze sensor 231 by auser's left hand or a user's right hand, the controller 180 may detect(or determine) a pressure generated according to a location at whicheach finger is placed. The squeeze sensor 231 may detect (or determine)a squeeze state that is generated by fingers applying pressures above apredetermined value (i.e., above the activation pressure).

The mobile terminal 100 may distinguish a grip state and a squeeze statebased on a size (or amount) of a pressure applied to the squeeze sensorunit 231. For example, when a pressure that is less than a predeterminedvalue is applied to the squeeze sensor 231, it may be referred to as agrip state. When a pressure greater than a predetermined value isapplied to the squeeze sensor 231, it may be referred to as a squeezestate. The controller 180 may perform a control operation according toan input applied to the squeeze sensor 231 in a squeeze state.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are flow charts of a method of a mobile terminal 100according to an example embodiment. Other embodiments and operations mayalso be provided. Embodiments may be described with respect to a mobileterminal 200, which includes components of the mobile terminal 100.

The mobile terminal 200 may include a display unit 251 (corresponding tothe display unit 151), the squeeze sensor 231, the touch sensor 232, andthe controller 180.

Referring to FIG. 4, a pressure greater than a predetermined value maybe applied to the squeeze sensor 231 (S110).

The main body or housing may include a front surface, a rear surface anda lateral surface. The display unit 251 may be disposed at the frontsurface of the body to display an object.

The squeeze sensor 231 may include at least one squeeze sensor. Thesqueeze sensor 231 may be disposed at the lateral surface of the body(or housing). The squeeze sensor 231 may be disposed only at the lateralsurface of the body (or housing), and/or may be disposed at all lateralsurfaces of the body (or housing). The squeeze sensor 231 may bedisposed a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface that crosseach other, respectively, among the lateral surfaces of the body, and/orthe squeeze sensor 231 may be disposed at a first and a third lateralsurface that are not crossed to each other, respectively, among thelateral surfaces of the body.

The squeeze sensor 231 may convert a pressure applied to a specificportion into an electrical input signal. The squeeze sensor 231 maydetect (or determine) a size (or amount) of the applied pressure, apressure applied frequency, a pressure applied time, a pressure appliedposition, and/or a pressure applied area. The display unit 251 maydisplay an indicator that indicates at least one of a size (or amount)of the applied pressure, a pressure applied frequency, a pressureapplied time, a pressure applied position, and/or a pressure appliedarea.

When a pressure greater than a predetermined value is applied to thesqueeze sensor 231, a location of an object displayed on the displayunit 251 may change based on a pressure applied position (S120).

More specifically, when a pressure greater than a predetermined value isapplied to the squeeze sensor 231 (i.e., in case of a squeeze state),the controller 180 may detect (or determine) one of the squeeze sensorsto which the pressure is applied. The controller 180 may recognize apressure applied position based on the detected result.

The controller 180 may then change the location of an object displayedon the display unit 251 based on the pressure applied position.

More specifically, when the display unit 251 includes a plurality ofobjects, the controller 180 may determine a priority of each of theplurality of objects, and may change the location of the plurality ofobjects based on priority of the each of the objects and the pressureapplied position. For example, based on a use frequency of an object,the object with a high use frequency may be disposed adjacent to thepressure applied position, and the object with a low use frequency maybe disposed far away from the pressure applied position.

On the other hand, the controller 180 may determine whether the user'shand (holding the body) is the user's left hand, the user's right hand,or both hands based on the pressure applied position. The controller 180may change the location of an object displayed on the display unit 251based on the determined result.

Referring to FIG. 5, the squeeze sensor 231 may sense a pressure greaterthan a predetermined value (S210). When a pressure greater than apredetermined value is applied to the squeeze sensor 131, the touchsensor 232 may adjust sensitivity of the touch sensor 232 to sense atouch input applied to a lateral surface of the body (S220).

More specifically, when a pressure greater than a predetermined value isapplied to the squeeze sensor 231 (i.e., in case of a squeeze state),the controller 180 may generate a control command for adjustingsensitivity of the touch sensor 232. Accordingly, the controller 180 mayincrease sensitivity of the touch sensor 232 to allow the touch sensor232 to sense even a touch input applied to the lateral surface of thebody in addition to the front surface of the body. The display unit 251may display an indicator indicating a sensitivity of a touch sensor. Onthe other hand, the touch sensor 232 may sense a stylus pen even if thedisplay unit 251 is separated from the stylus pen by a predetermineddistance.

The controller 180 may restore the sensitivity of the touch sensor 232when a predetermined time has passed after a pressure greater than apredetermined value is applied to the squeeze sensor 231. The controller180 may restore the sensitivity of the touch sensor 232 when thepressure greater than a predetermined value is applied again.

When a touch input is sensed at a lateral surface of the body, alocation of an object displayed on the display unit 251 may be changedbased on a position at which the touch input is sensed (S230).

More specifically, when the display unit 251 includes a plurality ofobjects, the controller 180 may determine a priority of each of theplurality of objects, and the controller 180 may change the location ofthe plurality of objects based on priority of the each of the objectsand the position at which the touch input is sensed. For example, basedon a use frequency of an object, the object with a high use frequencymay be disposed adjacent to the position at which the touch input issensed, and the object with a low use frequency may be disposed far awayfrom the position at which the touch input is sensed.

On the other hand, the controller 180 may determine whether the user'shand (holding the body) is the user's left hand, the user's right hand,or both hands based on the position at which the touch input is sensed.The controller 180 may change the location of an object displayed on thedisplay unit 251 based on the determined result.

As described above, the location of the user's finger may be sensed bythe squeeze sensor 231 and the location of objects displayed on thedisplay unit 251 may change according to the location of the finger,thereby allowing the user to conveniently touch objects. Accordingly,the user may control the mobile terminal 100 even with only one hand.

Further, a pressure applied to the squeeze sensor 231 and a pressureapplied to the touch sensor 232 may be distinguished from each other,thereby reducing the user's input error. As a result, a user'sconvenience may be enhanced.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views illustrating an operation example of the mobileterminal 200. FIG. 6 shows that the mobile terminal 200 may include thedisplay unit 251, the squeeze sensor 231, the touch sensor 232, and thecontroller 180. Other embodiments and views may also be provided.

The display unit 251 may display a dock screen 252, and the dock screen252 may include a plurality of objects.

When a pressure greater than a predetermined value is applied to thesqueeze sensor 231, the controller 180 may recognize (or determine) apressure applied position by detecting one of the plurality of squeezesensors to which the pressure is applied. The controller 180 may thenchange the location of a plurality of objects contained in the dockscreen 252. Accordingly, the plurality of objects contained in the dockscreen 252 may be displayed in a region of the display unit 251 that isadjacent to the pressure applied position.

As another example, when a pressure greater than a predetermined valueis applied to the squeeze sensor 231, the controller 180 may increase asensitivity of the touch sensor 232 to allow the touch sensor 232 tosense even a touch input applied to a lateral surface of the body inaddition to a front surface of the body (or housing). The controller 180may then change a location of the plurality of objects contained in thedock screen 252 based on a position at which a touch input is sensed.Accordingly, the plurality of objects contained in the dock screen 252may be displayed in a region of the display unit 251 that is adjacent tothe position at which a touch input is sensed.

Referring to FIG. 7, the display unit 251 may display a plurality ofobjects. The object may be one of an icon, a widget, a thumbnail imageand/or an application execution menu.

As one example, when a pressure greater than a predetermined value isapplied to the squeeze sensor 231, the controller 180 may recognize (ordetermine) a pressure applied position by detecting one of the pluralityof squeeze sensors to which a pressure is applied. The controller 180may then change the location of a plurality of objects based on thepressure applied position. The controller 180 may determine a priorityof each of the plurality of objects, and change the location of aplurality of objects based on the priority of each of the objects.

As another example, when a pressure greater than a predetermined valueis applied to the squeeze sensor 231, the controller 180 may increase asensitivity of the touch sensor 232. The controller 180 may then changethe location of a plurality of objects based on a position at which atouch input is sensed. The controller 180 may determine priority of eachof the plurality of objects, and change the location of a plurality ofobjects based on the priority of each of the objects.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views illustrating an operation of the mobileterminal. FIG. 8 shows that the mobile terminal 200 may include thedisplay unit 251, the squeeze sensor 231, the touch sensor 232, and thecontroller 180. Other embodiments and views may also be provided.

The display unit 251 may display a plurality of objects.

According to an example embodiment, when a pressure greater than apredetermined value is applied to the squeeze sensor 231, the controller180 may recognize that the user's hand (holding the body) is the user'sleft hand based on a pressure applied position, as shown in FIG. 8. Thecontroller 180 may then change the location of a plurality of objectsbased on the pressure applied position. Accordingly, the user may easilycontrol objects displayed on the display unit 251 with the user's lefthand holding the body.

The controller 180 may recognize (or determine) that the user's hand(holding the body) is the user's right hand, and the controller 180 maychange a location of a plurality of objects based on a pressure appliedposition, as shown in FIG. 9. Accordingly, the user may easily controlobjects displayed on the display unit 251 with the user's right handholding the body.

As another example, when a pressure greater than a predetermined valueis applied to the squeeze sensor 231, as shown in FIG. 8, the controller180 may increase a sensitivity of the touch sensor 232 to allow thetouch sensor 232 to sense even a touch input applied to a lateralsurface of the body in addition to a front surface of the body. Thecontroller 180 may then recognize (or determine) that the user's hand(holding the body) is the user's left hand based on a position at whicha touch input is sensed. The controller 180 may then change the locationof a plurality of objects based on the position at which a touch inputis sensed. Accordingly, the user may easily control objects displayed onthe display unit 251 with the user's left hand holding the body.

As shown in FIG. 9, the controller 180 may recognize (or determine) thatthe user's hand (holding the body) is the user's right hand, and thecontroller 180 may change the location of a plurality of objects basedon a position at which a touch input is sensed. Accordingly, the usermay easily control objects displayed on the display unit 251 with theuser's right hand holding the body.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating an operation of the mobile terminal 200.The mobile terminal 200 may include the display unit 251, the squeezesensor 231, the touch sensor 232, and the controller 180. Otherembodiments and views may also be provided.

As shown in FIG. 10, the display unit 251 may display a dock screen 252,and the dock screen 252 may include a plurality of objects. When apressure greater than a predetermined value is applied to the squeezesensor 231, the controller 180 may generate different control commandsbased on a pattern of the applied pressure. The pattern of the appliedpressure may include at least one of a size of the applied pressure, apressure applied frequency, a pressure applied time, a pressure appliedposition, and/or a pressure applied area.

For example, when a pressure greater than a predetermined value isapplied to the squeeze sensor 231, the controller 180 may increase asize of objects displayed on the display unit 251. As shown in FIG. 10,the controller 180 may display, on the display unit 251, a progress bar254 indicating a size of the applied pressure, or a pressure appliedfrequency.

On the other hand, the controller 180 may reduce the size of objectsdisplayed on the display unit 251 based on a pattern of the appliedpressure.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an operation of the mobile terminal 200.The mobile terminal 200 may include display unit 251, the squeeze sensor231, the touch sensor 232, and the controller 180. Other embodiments andviews may also be provided.

The display unit 251 may display a lock screen in a lock state thatrestricts an input of a control command to an application.

According to an example embodiment, when a pressure greater than apredetermined value is applied to the squeeze sensor 231, the controller180 may recognize (or determine) a pattern of the applied pressure basedon a pressure applied position. The controller 180 may then release thelock state when the pattern of the applied pressure corresponds to apredetermined pattern. The display unit 251 may display a home screenwhile releasing the lock state.

As another example, when a pressure greater than a predetermined valueis applied to the squeeze sensor 231, the controller 180 may increase asensitivity of the touch sensor 232 to allow the touch sensor 232 tosense even a touch input applied to a lateral surface of the body inaddition to a front surface of the body. The controller 180 may thenrelease the lock state when the pattern of the applied pressurecorresponds to a predetermined pattern based on a position at which atouch input is sensed.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views illustrating an operation of the mobileterminal. The mobile terminal 200 may include the display unit 251, thesqueeze sensor 231, the touch sensor 232, and the controller 180. Otherembodiments and views may also be provided.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, when an event occurs, the controller 180may generate a control command associated with the event based on apattern of the pressure applied to the squeeze sensor 231.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when an event associated withreceiving a text message, a popup window 255 containing the receivedtext message may be displayed on the display unit 251. When a pressureis applied to the squeeze sensor 231 as a first pattern, the controller180 may generate a control command corresponding to the first pattern.The controller 180 may then execute an application associated with theevent. Accordingly, the controller 180 may execute a text messageapplication and display an execution screen on the display unit 251.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, when a pressure is applied to the squeezesensor 231 as a second pattern, the controller 180 may generate acontrol command corresponding to the second pattern. The controller 180may then terminate the event. Accordingly, the controller 180 mayterminate the text message application, and allow the popup window 255that has been displayed on the display unit 251 to disappear.

As another example, when a pressure is applied to the squeeze sensor 231in a state that the popup window 255 containing the received textmessage is displayed on the display unit 251, the controller 180 mayincrease a sensitivity of the touch sensor 232 to allow the touch sensor232 to sense even a touch input applied to a lateral surface of the bodyin addition to a front surface of the body. The controller 180 may thenexecute an application associated with the event or terminate the eventbased on a pattern of the touch input.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are views illustrating an operation of the mobileterminal. The mobile terminal 200 may include the display unit 251, thesqueeze sensor 231, the touch sensor 232, and the controller 180. Otherembodiments and views may also be provided.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the display unit 251 may display firstscreen information. The controller 180 may change the first screeninformation to second screen information based on a pattern of theapplied pressure.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when a pressure is applied to thesqueeze sensor 231 as a first pattern in a state that first screeninformation is displayed on the display unit 251, the controller 180 maygenerate a control command corresponding to the first pattern. In otherwords, the controller 180 may perform auto scrolling to display thefirst screen information and second screen information contained in thesame page are displayed on the display unit 251. Accordingly, thedisplay unit 251 can display the second screen information by autoscrolling.

As shown in FIG. 15, when a pressure is applied to the squeeze sensor231 as a second pattern, the controller 180 may generate a controlcommand corresponding to the second pattern. The controller 180 mayperform an operation of turning over a page to display, on the displayunit 251, the first screen information and the second screen informationcontained in another page.

As another example, when a pressure is applied to the squeeze sensor 231in a state that the first screen information is displayed on the displayunit 251, the controller 180 may increase a sensitivity of the touchsensor 232 to allow the touch sensor 232 to sense even a touch inputapplied to a lateral surface of the body in addition to a front surfaceof the body. The controller 180 may then perform auto scrolling ordisplay a next page on the display unit 251 based on a pattern of thetouch input.

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating an operation of the mobile terminal 200.The mobile terminal 200 may include the display unit 251, the squeezesensor 231, the touch sensor 232, and the controller 180. Otherembodiments and views may also be provided.

Referring to FIG. 16, the content output unit may output a content. Thecontroller 180 may change the output content to another content oradjust a volume level of the output audio based on the pattern of apressure applied to the squeeze sensor 231.

For example, as shown in FIG. 16, when a pressure greater than apredetermined value is applied to the squeeze sensor 231 in a state thatthe content output unit outputs a content, the controller 180 maygenerate a control command based on a pattern of the applied pressure.In other words, the controller 180 may change the output content toanother content. The controller 180 may adjust a volume level of theoutput audio or change a channel of the output image based on a patternof the applied pressure.

Further, the controller 180 may further transmit a call signal to apreset counterpart based on a pattern of the applied pressure.Accordingly, the user may transmit a call signal to a frequentlycontacted counterpart in a more convenient manner, and may also transmita call signal at a higher speed in an emergency state.

As another example, when a pressure is applied to the squeeze sensor 231in a state that the content output unit outputs a content, thecontroller 180 may increase a sensitivity of the touch sensor 232 toallow the touch sensor 232 to sense even a touch input applied to alateral surface of the body in addition to a front surface of the body.The controller 180 may then change the output content to another contentor adjust the volume level of the output content based on a pattern ofthe touch input.

An objective may be to provide a mobile terminal and control methodthereof capable of generating an input signal using various devices.

A mobile terminal may include a main body or housing (having a frontsurface, a rear surface and a lateral surface); a display unit disposedat a front surface of the body, and formed to display an object; and asqueeze sensor (unit) disposed at a lateral surface of the body to sensea pressure above a predetermined value being applied thereto. Acontroller may be configured to change a location of an object displayedon the display unit based on a pressure applied position when thepressure above a predetermined value (or activation pressure) is appliedto the squeeze sensor (unit).

The squeeze sensor (unit) may include at least one squeeze sensordisposed at a lateral surface of the body. The controller may detect oneof the at least one squeeze sensor to which a pressure is applied, andthe controller may recognize the pressure applied position according tothe detected result when the pressure above a predetermined value isapplied to the squeeze sensor (unit).

The controller may determine whether the user's hand (holding the body)is his or her left hand, right hand, or both hands based on the pressureapplied position. The controller may change the location of an objectdisplayed on the display unit based on the determined result.

The display unit may be formed to display a plurality of objects. Thecontroller may determine a priority of each of the plurality of objects.The controller may change the location of the plurality of objects basedon the priority of each of the objects and the pressure appliedposition.

The controller may generate different control commands based on apattern of the applied pressure when the pressure greater than apredetermined value is applied to the squeeze sensor unit. The patternof the applied pressure may include at least one of a size of theapplied pressure, a pressure applied frequency, a pressure applied time,a pressure applied position, and/or a pressure applied area.

The display unit may be formed to display a lock screen in a lock statethat restricts an input of a control command to an application. Thecontroller may release the lock state when the pattern of the appliedpressure corresponds to a predetermined pattern in a state that the lockscreen is displayed.

When an event occurs, the controller may execute an applicationassociated with the event or terminate the event based on the pattern ofthe applied pressure.

The display unit may be formed to display first screen information. Thecontroller may change the first screen information to second screeninformation based on the pattern of the applied pressure in a state thatthe first screen information is displayed.

The first and the second screen information may be contained in one pageor contained in different first and second pages, respectively. Thecontroller may change the first screen information to the second screeninformation by an auto scrolling to the page when the first and thesecond screen information are contained in one page.

The mobile terminal may further include a content output unit configuredto output a content. The controller may change the output content toanother content or adjust a volume level of the output audio based onthe pattern of the applied pressure.

The controller may display an indicator indicating at least one of asize of the applied pressure, a pressure applied frequency, a pressureapplied time, a pressure applied position, and/or a pressure appliedarea, being applied to the squeeze sensor unit.

A mobile terminal may include a main body or housing) (having a frontsurface, a rear surface and a lateral surface); a display unit disposedat a front surface of the body, and formed to display an object; and atouch sensor (unit) disposed at a front surface of the display unit tosense a touch input. A squeeze sensor (unit) may be disposed at alateral surface of the body to sense a pressure above a predeterminedvalue (or activation pressure) being applied thereto. A controller maybe configured to adjust a sensitivity of the touch sensor (unit) suchthat the touch sensor (unit) can sense a touch input applied to alateral surface of the body when the pressure above a predeterminedvalue is applied to the squeeze sensor (unit), and the controller maychange the location of an object displayed on the display unit based ona position at which the touch input is sensed when the touch input issensed at a lateral surface of the body.

The controller may restore a sensitivity of the touch sensor unit when apredetermined time has passed after the pressure above a predeterminedvalue is applied to the squeeze sensor (unit) or the pressure above apredetermined value is applied again.

The controller may determine whether the user's hand (holding the body)is his or her left hand, right hand, or both hands based on a positionat which the touch input is sensed at a lateral surface of the body, andthe controller may change the location of an object displayed on thedisplay unit based on the determined result.

The display unit may be formed to display a plurality of objects. Thecontroller may determine the priority of each of the plurality ofobjects, and may change the location of the plurality of objects basedon the priority of the each of the objects and the position at which thetouch input is sensed at a lateral surface of the body.

The display unit may be formed to display a lock screen in a lock statethat restricts an input of a control command to an application. Thecontroller may release the lock state when the pattern of the touchinput sensed at a lateral surface of the body corresponds to apredetermined pattern in a state that the lock screen is displayed.

When an event occurs, the controller may execute an applicationassociated with the event or terminate the event based on the pattern ofthe touch input sensed at a lateral surface of the body.

The display unit may be formed to display first screen information. Thecontroller may change the first screen information to second screeninformation based on the pattern of the touch input sensed at a lateralsurface of the body in a state that the first screen information isdisplayed.

The first and the second screen information may be contained in one pageor contained in different first and second pages, respectively. Thecontroller may change the first screen information to the second screeninformation by an auto scrolling to the page when the first and thesecond screen information are contained in one page.

The mobile terminal may further include a content output unit configuredto output a content. The controller may change the output content toanother content or adjust a volume level of the output audio based onthe pattern of the touch input sensed at a lateral surface of the body.

The controller may display an indicator indicating sensitivity of thetouch sensor (unit) on the display unit.

A control method of a mobile terminal may include allowing a squeezesensor (unit) disposed at a lateral surface of the body to sense apressure above a predetermined value being applied thereto; and changingthe location of an object displayed on the display unit based on apressure applied position when the pressure above a predetermined valueis applied to the squeeze sensor (unit).

A control method of a mobile terminal may also include allowing asqueeze sensor (unit) disposed at a lateral surface of the body to sensea pressure above a predetermined value being applied thereto; adjustinga sensitivity of the touch sensor (unit) such that the touch sensor(unit) can sense a touch input applied to a lateral surface of the bodywhen the pressure above a predetermined value is applied to the squeezesensor (unit); and changing a location of an object displayed on thedisplay unit based on a position at which the touch input is sensed whenthe touch input is sensed at a lateral surface of the body.

Embodiments of the foregoing method may be implemented as codes readableby a processor on a medium written by a program. Examples of theprocessor-readable media may include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape,floppy disk, and optical data storage device, and the like, and may alsoinclude a device implemented in a form of a carrier wave (for example,transmission via the Internet).

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of such phrases in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within thepurview of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, orcharacteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile terminal, comprising: a housing having afront surface, a rear surface and a lateral surface; a display at thefront surface of the housing to display an object at a first location ofa display area; a sensor at the lateral surface of the housing to sensea pressure being applied thereto; and a controller to change a locationof the object from the first location to a second location of thedisplay area when the sensed pressure is greater than a predeterminedvalue.
 2. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the second location ofthe display area corresponds to a position or a location of the sensor.3. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes aplurality of squeeze sensors at the lateral surface of the housing, andthe controller determines one of the plurality of squeeze sensors towhich the pressure is applied, and the controller determines a pressureapplied position based at least in part on the determined result whenthe sensed pressure greater than the predetermined value is applied tothe sensor.
 4. The mobile terminal of claim 3, wherein the controllerdetermines whether a user's hand is the user's left hand, the user'sright hand, or both hands based on the pressure applied position, andthe controller changes the location of the object displayed on thedisplay area based at least in part on the determined result.
 5. Themobile terminal of claim 3, wherein the display to display a pluralityof objects, and the controller determines a priority of each of theplurality of objects, and the controller changes the location of theplurality of objects based at least in part on the priority of each ofthe plurality of objects and the pressure applied position.
 6. Themobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller generates differentcontrol commands based on a pattern of the pressure applied when thesensed pressure greater than the predetermined value is applied to thesensor, and the pattern of the applied pressure includes one of anamount of the applied pressure, a pressure applied frequency, a pressureapplied time, a pressure applied position, or a pressure applied area.7. The mobile terminal of claim 6, wherein the display to display a lockscreen in a lock state that restricts an input of a control command toan application, and the controller releases the lock state when thepattern of the pressure applied corresponds to a predetermined patternwhile the lock screen is displayed on the display.
 8. The mobileterminal of claim 6, wherein when an event occurs, the controllerexecutes an application associated with the event or terminates theevent based at least in part on the pattern of the applied pressure. 9.The mobile terminal of claim 6, wherein the display to display firstscreen information, and the controller changes the first screeninformation to second screen information based at least in part on thepattern of the pressure applied while the first screen information isdisplayed on the display.
 10. The mobile terminal of claim 9, whereinthe first screen information and the second screen information areprovided in one page or are contained in different first and secondpages, respectively, and the controller changes the first screeninformation to the second screen information by an auto scrolling to thepage when the first screen information and the second screen informationare provided in one page.
 11. The mobile terminal of claim 6, furthercomprising: a content output unit to output a content, wherein thecontroller changes the output content to another content or adjusts avolume level of output audio based on the pattern of the appliedpressure.
 12. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controllerdisplays, on the display, an indicator that indicates one of an amountof the applied pressure, a pressure applied frequency, a pressureapplied time, a pressure applied position, or a pressure applied area.13. A mobile terminal, comprising: a housing having a front surface, arear surface and a lateral surface; a display at the front surface ofthe housing to display an object at a first location of a display area;a touch sensor at the display to sense a touch input; a squeeze sensorat the housing to sense a pressure; and a controller to determine whenthe sensed pressure is greater than a predetermined value, and thecontroller to adjust a sensitivity of the touch sensor such that thetouch sensor can sense a touch input applied to the lateral surface ofthe housing when the sensed pressure is determined to be greater thanthe predetermined value, and the controller to change a location of theobject from the first location to a second location of the display areabased at least in part on a position at which the touch input is sensedwhen the touch input is sensed at the lateral surface of the housing.14. The mobile terminal of claim 13, wherein the controller restores thesensitivity of the touch sensor when a predetermined time has passedafter the sensed pressure is greater than the predetermined value orwhen the sensed pressure is again greater than the predetermined value.15. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the controller determineswhether the user's hand is the user's left hand, the user's right hand,or both hands based on the position at which the touch input is sensedat the lateral surface of the housing, and the controller changes thelocation of an object displayed on the display area based at least inpart on the determined result.
 16. The mobile terminal of claim 14,wherein the display to display a plurality of objects, and thecontroller determines a priority of each of the plurality of objects,and the controller changes the location of the plurality of objectsbased at least in part on the priority of each of the plurality ofobjects and the position at which the touch input is sensed at thelateral surface of the housing.
 17. The mobile terminal of claim 13,wherein the display to display a lock screen in a lock state thatrestricts an input of a control command to an application, and thecontroller releases the lock state when a pattern of the touch inputsensed at a lateral surface of the housing corresponds to apredetermined pattern while the lock screen is displayed on the display.18. The mobile terminal of claim 13, wherein the display to displayfirst screen information, and the controller changes the first screeninformation to second screen information based at least in part on apattern of the touch input sensed at the lateral surface of the housingin a state that the first screen information is displayed on thedisplay.
 19. The mobile terminal of claim 13, further comprising: acontent output unit to output a content, wherein the controller changesthe output content to another content or adjusts a volume level ofoutput audio based at least in part on a pattern of the touch inputsensed at the lateral surface of the body.
 20. The mobile terminal ofclaim 13, wherein the controller displays, on the display, an indicatorindicating sensitivity of the touch sensor.
 21. A display method of amobile terminal that includes a housing, and a display disposed at afront surface of the housing, the method comprising: sensing a pressureon a sensor at a lateral surface of the housing; and changing a locationof an object displayed at a first location of the display to a secondlocation of the display when the sensed pressure is determined to begreater than a predetermined value, wherein the second location is in avicinity of a position where the pressure at the lateral surface of thehousing was sensed to be greater than the predetermined value.
 22. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the second location corresponds to aposition or a location of the sensor.
 23. The method of claim 21,wherein the sensor includes a plurality of squeeze sensors at thelateral surface of the housing, and the method further comprises:determining one of the plurality of squeeze sensors to which thepressure is applied, and determining a pressure applied position basedat least in part on the determined result when the sensed pressuregreater than the predetermined value is applied to the sensor.
 24. Themethod of claim 23, further comprising determining whether a user's handis the user's left hand, the user's right hand, or both hands based onthe pressure applied position, and wherein changing the location of theobject includes changing the location of the object displayed on thedisplay based at least in part on the determined result.
 25. The methodof claim 23, wherein the display to display a plurality of objects, andthe method further comprises: determining a priority of each of theplurality of objects, and wherein changing the location of the objectincludes changing the location of the plurality of objects based atleast in part on the priority of each of the plurality of objects andthe pressure applied position.
 26. The method of claim 21, furthercomprising generating different control commands based on a pattern ofthe pressure applied when the sensed pressure greater than thepredetermined value is applied to the sensor, and the pattern of theapplied pressure includes one of an amount of the applied pressure, apressure applied frequency, a pressure applied time, a pressure appliedposition, or a pressure applied area.
 27. A display method of a mobileterminal that includes a housing, a display disposed at a front surfaceof the housing, and a touch sensor disposed at the display to sense atouch input, the method comprising: sensing a pressure of a squeezesensor at the lateral surface of the housing; determining that thesensed pressure is greater than a predetermined value; adjusting asensitivity of the touch sensor such that the touch sensor can sense atouch input applied to the lateral surface of the housing when thesensed pressure is determined to be greater than the predeterminedvalue; and changing a location of an object displayed on the displayfrom a first location to a second location of the display based at leastin part on a position at which the touch input is sensed when the touchinput is sensed at the lateral surface of the housing.
 28. The method ofclaim 27, further comprising restoring the sensitivity of the touchsensor when a predetermined time has passed after the sensed pressure isgreater than the predetermined value or when the sensed pressure isagain greater than the predetermined value.
 29. The method of claim 28,further comprising determining whether the user's hand is the user'sleft hand, the user's right hand, or both hands based on the position atwhich the touch input is sensed at the lateral surface of the housing,and wherein changing the location including changing the location of anobject displayed on the display area based at least in part on thedetermined result.
 30. The method of claim 28, wherein the display todisplay a plurality of objects, and the method further comprises:determining a priority of each of the plurality of objects, and whereinchanging the location of the object includes changing the location ofthe plurality of objects based at least in part on the priority of eachof the plurality of objects and the position at which the touch input issensed at the lateral surface of the housing.